Election 2012: Republicans aim for Horn's state House 94th seat

SAGINAW, MI — Two Saginaw County Board of Commissioners members and a frequent candidate for political office in Birch Run will square off in the Republican primary election for the state House 94th District.

Ryan P. McReynolds of Birch Run and commissioners Ann M. Doyle of Tittabawassee Township and Tim Kelly of Saginaw Township will campaign for the seat now occupied by Republican Kenneth B. Horn of Frankenmuth.

Tim Kelly

Horn will step down this year because of term limits.

Judith A. Lincoln, a former Saginaw County Board of Commissioners member, of Saginaw Township is the lone Democrat on the ticket.

The primary election is Aug. 7. The general election is Nov. 6.

Kelly, 55, said voters this election cycle are concerned about the economy.

“Gov. (Rick) Snyder and the Legislature are doing the right kinds of things to grow jobs,” said Kelly, former chairman of the Saginaw County Republican Party and a county commissioner since 2010. “I wish to continue those efforts. I’d like to work on growing jobs, improving education, and improving roads and bridges.”

Kelly said, to keep the budget balanced while tackling these issues, legislators must decrease spending on social programs. He gave one example:

“We have 48 million people in the U.S. on food stamps,” Kelly said. "Food stamps are supposed to be a hand up, not a handout. It’s crept into too many households.”

Ann Doyle

Doyle, another former chairperson of the Saginaw County Republican Party, said her concerns center on public safety and jobs.

“If the community is not safe, there’s not going to be any jobs,” the 53-year-old said. “We have to have a safe community in order to bring jobs to the area.”

Doyle also wants to eliminate regulations she says slow small business growth. For example, she supports awarding new business owners temporary liquor licenses rather than make them wait months for a permanent liquor license approval.

“It’s the small businesses that really keep the community going,” said Doyle, who owns a Saginaw Township bowling alley. “The dry cleaner, grocery store, gas station: We need to make sure we are taking care of current small business needs before we bring more people in.”

McReynolds, a 33-year-old Birch Run resident who has a form of autism, said one of his campaign platforms includes fighting for residents with disabilities.

“The disabled need a voice in Lansing,” said McReynolds, who has fallen short in a number of campaigns for office in Birch Run.

McReynolds said he wants to support a bill already making the rounds in Lansing that focuses on punishing guardians who abuse disadvantaged children.

Ryan McReynolds

He said he also hopes to work to decriminalize marijuana.

“I’m not a fan (of marijuana) but, at the same time, it’s very horrific that people have futures ruined because they were busted for smoking or trying (marijuana),” McReynolds said. “It’s just messed up.”

McReynolds said he also can represent another Michigan demographic: The unemployed.

“Like a lot of people, I am without a job myself,” he said.

The 94th District includes the city of Frankenmuth and Albee, Birch Run, Blumfield, Frankenmuth, Swan Creek, St. Charles, Taymouth, Thomas, Tittabawassee and Saginaw townships.

RYAN McREYNOLDS

• Age: 33 • Address: 7781 Maple in Birch Run • Occupation: Unemployed actor and musician • Political experience: Ran for Birch Run Board of Education in 2001, 2002 and 2003; ran for Birch Run Village Council in 2003 and 2010; ran for Birch Run Township trustee in 2004; elected Republican Saginaw County Precinct 2 delegate in 2008 and 2010 • Education: credits at Delta College; 2000 graduate of the Post-Secondary Transitional Program; attended Birch Run High School • Civic involvement: Member, Messiah Lutheran in Clio • Why should voters choose you? "I feel that the disabled need a voice in Lansing."